6

 

Production

The sea urchin should be adapted to its new scale while formally guarding the geometry to ensure it doesn’t mutate in the course of the construction process.

6

 

Production

The sea urchin should be adapted to its new scale while formally guarding the geometry to ensure it doesn’t mutate in the course of the construction process.

6

 

Production

The sea urchin should be adapted to its new scale while formally guarding the geometry to ensure it doesn’t mutate in the course of the construction process.

Prototype Seaurchin V

Preparing the mother form on a 1:1 scale
Piece A: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm Piece B: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm

Prototype Seaurchin V

Preparing the mother form on a 1:1 scale
Piece A: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm Piece B: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm

Prototype Seaurchin V

Preparing the mother form on a 1:1 scale
Piece A: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm Piece B: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm

Giving shape to a piece of lightweight concrete with a diameter of 4.20 metres and a height of 2.10 metres. The transition from computer and 3D print out to the full scale of each segment is made in the workshop: they are cut from blocks of polyurethane foam by a five-axis robotic arm to obtain the “A and B mother form”.

Giving shape to a piece of lightweight concrete with a diameter of 4.20 metres and a height of 2.10 metres. The transition from computer and 3D print out to the full scale of each segment is made in the workshop: they are cut from blocks of polyurethane foam by a five-axis robotic arm to obtain the “A and B mother form”.

Giving shape to a piece of lightweight concrete with a diameter of 4.20 metres and a height of 2.10 metres. The transition from computer and 3D print out to the full scale of each segment is made in the workshop: they are cut from blocks of polyurethane foam by a five-axis robotic arm to obtain the “A and B mother form”.

CNC (Computer Numeric Control)

The drawing is a vector file uploaded to a CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine. This machine carves the mother form from a block of high-density polyurethane foam. It has five axes and is incredibly precise. The details and edge parameters have already been incorporated in the vector file—the drawing—to ensure that each piece fits together with the next. From this we make two moulds, one opaque (A) and one perforated (B).

CNC (Computer Numeric Control)

The drawing is a vector file uploaded to a CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine. This machine carves the mother form from a block of high-density polyurethane foam. It has five axes and is incredibly precise. The details and edge parameters have already been incorporated in the vector file—the drawing—to ensure that each piece fits together with the next. From this we make two moulds, one opaque (A) and one perforated (B).

CNC (Computer Numeric Control)

The drawing is a vector file uploaded to a CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine. This machine carves the mother form from a block of high-density polyurethane foam. It has five axes and is incredibly precise. The details and edge parameters have already been incorporated in the vector file—the drawing—to ensure that each piece fits together with the next. From this we make two moulds, one opaque (A) and one perforated (B).

Segment A

Segment A

Segment B

Segment B

We begin the mould, the piece’s negative. How to make it, how to unmould —open and remove the mould— and how to solve the problem of having to use it again for each new piece, the problem of not having a waste mould. The weight. The GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) is made lighter with fibreglass, but even so each segment weighs about eight hundred kilos. How to reinforce such a mould. Imagine the force applied when it sets. It needs a reinforcing structure. How to move it.

We begin the mould, the piece’s negative. How to make it, how to unmould —open and remove the mould— and how to solve the problem of having to use it again for each new piece, the problem of not having a waste mould. The weight. The GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) is made lighter with fibreglass, but even so each segment weighs about eight hundred kilos. How to reinforce such a mould. Imagine the force applied when it sets. It needs a reinforcing structure. How to move it.

Thinking the mould

filling / removing the piece / reusing the mould / interior finish (sanding and polishing) / exterior finish / how each piece will be packed / how it will be transported. The pieces—the segments—are cast from the reusable mould. Resin and fibreglass.

Piece A, 4 units: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm

Piece B, 4 units: 180 Ă— 1,10 Ă— 210 cm